Surname Künzner - Meaning and Origin
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Künzner: What does the surname Künzner mean?
The last name Künzner is of German origin and is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word “Kunz” which was a term used to describe a highly skilled craftsman or an artisan who specialized in metalwork. The name itself means ‘metalworker’ and is formed by adding the suffix ‘-er’ to the noun.
Künzner first appeared in records in the 12th century and was particularly common in the Palatinate region of Germany. The first recorded usage of the name was in the late 14th century where a Kunz was mentioned in a document for the town of Sternenfels in Baden-Württemberg. There are also records of a Kunz living in the city of Heilbronn in 1557.
The name eventually spread to other areas of Germany and around Europe, and is also found in other forms in countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and Denmark. The spelling can also vary depending on the region, and in some cases the suffix has been dropped.
Today, Künzner is still a relatively common name in Germany, but its spelling and variants are also popular in surrounding countries. It is still used to refer to a skilled artisan in metalworking, and the name continues to be a reminder of the artisans’ hardworking and creative spirit.
Order DNA origin analysisKünzner: Where does the name Künzner come from?
The last name Künzner is most commonly found today in Germany. It is primarily found in the eastern and southern parts of the country, based on records from the Central Office of Genealogy in Germany. The most common states where Künzner is found are Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Saxony, and Thuringia.
Although the highest prevalence of Künzner is within Germany, the name can also be found elsewhere in Europe. Künzner is recorded in smaller steads in countries like Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands.
In recent years, individuals with the surname Künzner have made their way to North America. It is most commonly found in the midwestern and eastern regions of the United States, especially in states like Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New York.
The Künzner name has an interesting etymological history. The home province of Künzner is Schleswig-Holstein in northern Germany, where the name originates from the dialect word “Kunz”, meaning “ruler” or “rule”. In other regions where Künzner is commonly found, including Bavaria and Saxony, “Kunz” was colloquially used to mean “cunning” or “smart”.
So while Künzner is a common name in Germany today, its origin can be traced back to centuries before. Its earliest references found in genealogical records are commonly from the 17th century, and the surname’s roots can be traced back even further.
Variations of the surname Künzner
Künzner is a German or Jewish surname and its variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin vary depending on the region.
In Germany, Künzner is typically spelled as Künzer or Künzle. It is also known as Kauderer, Kautzer, Keuntzer, Kientzler, Kuntzler, Küntzer, and Küntzler.
In Austria and Switzerland, the surname is usually spelled as Künzel or Künzler. Other variants may include Konzler and Konizler.
In Jewish culture, the surname Künzner is often spelled as Kunzner. Any of the following spellings could also belong to someone of Jewish descent: Konizler, Kunzler, Könizler, Künzal, Künzler, Kunzal, and Ketzell.
It is also sometimes anglicized as Conzner or Conzilar.
The surname likely has its origins in the Middle High German word "kunz" or “kunzo” which refers to a type of "sun-dial." It may have initially been used as an occupational name for a professional sun dial maker. Over time, the meaning and spelling of the surname likely changed due to regional pronunciation and spelling variations.
Famous people with the name Künzner
- Franz Künzner: (1842: 1906) was a German zoologist, specializing in Entomology. He is credited for providing the basis for the phylogeny of Dipteran genera.
- Ronald Künzner: (1954: Present) is a German entertainer and television producer. He is best known for hosting popular sports and entertainment programs.
- Rudolf Künzner: (1937: 2013) was a West German conductor, pianist, and trumpet player. He performed in several orchestras and conducted the West German Symphony Orchestra between 1994: 2000.
- Sebastian Künzner: (?: Present) is a German Paralympic athlete specialising in Paralympic athletics. He has won several gold medals and holds several records.
- Günther Künzner: (1922: 2006) was a German football player who won the silver medal at the 1972 Summer Olympics with the West Germany national team.
- Gunnar Künzner: (1908: 1978) was a German missionary and humanitarian worker. He is best known for his humanitarian efforts during the Cold War in East Germany and elsewhere in Eastern Europe.
- Luis Künzner: (1893: 1971) was a German mathematician who made significant contributions to the fields of functional analysis and harmonic analysis.
- Anton Künzner: (1865: 1933) was a German biologist and professor at the University of Marburg. He is most known for his work on the biogenetic law.
- Klaus Künzner: (1943: Present) is a German economist who is best known for his research in the fields of regional economics and economic geography.
- August Künzner: (1860: 1939) was a German scholar and professor of classical philology at the University of Munich and Marburg. He edited many classical and literary works as well as the Corpus scriptorium Latinorum Medii Aevi.